Author Archives: Carrie Rhodes
Local Perspective on Hurricane María and Puerto Rico
September 28, 2017Picture of Villa Parguera above taken by Wendi a week after hurricane María on Sept. 26, 2017. by Bernardo, our Operations Manager Hurricane María hit us hard last week and damaged much of our vegetation. Outside of palm trees and other lucky trees, many are down or lack leaves. Today you see mother nature’s new…
Hurricane Update: Cuba, Martinique, Puerto Rico – Sept. 25, 2017
September 25, 2017Above picture was taken today 9.25.17 of Hampton Inn in San Juan. This month three of our main destinations suffered from two of the largest hurricanes ever recorded in the Caribbean. Our top priority in leading tours is the safety and well-being of our travelers. Below is a summary on each island: Cuba & Irma…
Are Your Souvenirs Authentic?
August 1, 2017We all do it. We go on a trip or vacation and we bring back souvenirs. How often have you given thought to how authentic your souvenirs are? Have you ever considered whether your souvenirs are ethically sourced? Could buying that item cause harm to a country, an economy, an ecosystem, or an endangered species?…
San Antonio’s Native American, Tejano, Spanish, and Mexican Heritage
July 31, 2017San Antonio is an exceptional destination for students and teachers of all ages who want to experience the past and present without leaving the continental US. The city has it all: from speaking Spanish with locals, to trying authentic Native American, Mexican, and Tejano food, to visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites and learning regional folkloric…
Martinique – History
July 21, 2017Political History Martinique, a small island in the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean, possesses a long and complex history. Columbus visited the island in 1502 on his fourth voyage, but Spain didn’t seem interested. The island remained un-colonized until 1634 when a Frenchman named Pierre Bélain Sieur D’Ensambuc started a colony on the island. He…
Farming Experiences a Revival in Puerto Rico
June 9, 2017Up until the 1940’s, agriculture was a dominant industry on the island with crops such as cocoa, sugarcane, coffee, plantains, bananas, and even rice. Unfortunately, farming has dwindled to almost nothing over the last few decades. Puerto Rico now imports 80% of its food from other countries. Over the last few years, this trend is…
Puerto Ricans Experience Economic Growth
The Puerto Rican government may be struggling financially, but that is not necessarily true of the Puerto Rican people. The tourism industry is experiencing economic growth as more and more cruise ships pour into Old San Juan every day. The influx of tourists is having a positive impact on restaurants, shops, taxi drivers, tour operators, and artisans.
Be Savvy World Travelers
June 8, 2017SYTA (Student & Youth Travel Association) recently published an article in their Teach & Travel magazine entitled: Don’t Be a Tourist. Be a Traveler. The article shares key stories and recommendations on how to encourage students to experience culture firsthand. Tips such as slowing down, visiting markets, riding public transportation, volunteering and going places off the beaten path are…
13th Statement on the Zika Virus and Puerto Rico
June 7, 2017 On Monday June 5, 2017, the Puerto Rico Department of Health declared that the Zika epidemic is now over and the transmission of Zika has substantially decreased. As stated on previous postings, Vamonos’ top priority in leading tours is the safety and well-being of our travelers. We recommend that all potential travelers,…
Puerto Rico Declares Zika Epidemic Over
June 7, 2017Puerto Rico’s Department of Health declared yesterday that the 2016 Zika epidemic is over. The island has seen significantly reduced numbers of reported cases over the last couple of months. You can read the press release issued just yesterday by clicking the link below. We encourage our travelers to still take necessary precautions when traveling…